Back from the Bahamas, the Gators have a tough Friday night contest at Allen Fieldhouse against the Kansas Jayhawks.
Kansas Jayhawks
Lawrence, Kansas
Big 12 Conference
Head Coach: Bill Self, 12th season
2013-14 record: 25-10 (14-4, 1st place)
The Kansas Jayhawks and Florida Gators meet in a rematch of last year’s contest. The Jayhawks will look to enact revenge on the Gators, who won 67-61. The Gators scored 28 points off KU’s 24 turnovers, as made key defensive stops late in the game to ensure victory. With new players in new roles and the game now at Allen Fieldhouse, the 2014 contest will have a much different feel than the previous year.
Kansas is currently 5-1, with wins over Tennessee and Michigan State. Kansas is currently 1-1 in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge, losing to Kentucky earlier in the season. The team will also have another tough non-conference game after Florida, as they play Georgetown December 10.
As common with many elite programs, the Jayhawks are looking to replace two talented freshmen that left early for the NBA in Andrew Wiggins and Joel Embiid. Junior forward Perry Ellis currently leads the team in points with 15.3, followed by sophomore guard Frank Mason III with 9.8. While Wayne Selden hasn’t met expectations on the scoring end, he is tied with Mason III for the team lead in assists with 3.7.
Key Players
Perry Ellis
Junior
Forward
6-8, 225 pounds
On teams where Ben Macklemore and Andrew Wiggins were the top players, Perry Ellis has flown under the radar throughout his career at Kansas, until this season. Ellis is the most polished player on the Jayhawks team, averaging more points per game than his season average, as well as pulling down seven rebounds per game, three more than last year’s average. He’s also shown the ability to be effective on poor shooting nights. Despite having one of his worst nights of the season from the field against Tennessee (6-16 FG), Ellis went 11-12 from the free throw line, finishing with 24 points, a season high. The junior also pulled down 13 rebounds, tied for second-most in his career. At 6-8, the forward has the ability to challenge opposing teams in the paint as well as stretch big men out to the wing.
Frank Mason III
Sophomore
Guard
5-11, 185 pounds
Frank Mason III appears to be the Jayhawks’ second scoring option, despite being a floor general at the point guard position. After a strong season debut against UC-Santa Barbara where he scored 12 points, Mason III was stagnant in games against Kentucky and Rider, averaging 7 points and two assists in the two games. However, Mason III has come along in the last three games, averaging 11 points and 5.7 assists. The sophomore also had a career-high 10 rebounds in Sunday’s win over Michigan State. If you search Mason III’s name on YouTube, you’ll see videos of him doing backflips during team practices, which are a testament to his athletic ability. While usually one of the shortest players on the court, the point guard’s speed allows him to cover ground quickly, and he knows how to evade getting his shot blocked when entering the paint, providing issues for Florida’s big men.
Wayne Selden, Jr.
Sophomore
Guard
6-5, 230 pounds
A highly-touted prospect a two years ago, Selden Jr. hasn’t lived up to expectations during his time in Lawrence. Last year Selden Jr. averaged 9.7 points per game and 2.5 assists. Currently the shooting guard is averaging 7.7 points per game, including a scoreless performance against Rider. While Selden Jr. has worked on his game during the season, including staying late to get extra shots in, the guard has still struggled offensively. In Sunday’s game against Michigan State, Selden Jr. went 0-10 from the field, scoring all five points from the charity stripe. While Kansas has won in spite of Selden Jr.’s struggles, they’ll need more from him down the road.
How they fare against Florida
The Jayhawks are simply a better team than the Gators. They’re healthier and have all their pieces together. While Florida guards Kasey Hill and Chris Chiozza have the advantage over Mason III and Selden Jr., Florida’s injuries will limit both the players they have available, as well as the ones playing. Gators guard Eli Carter will miss Friday’s game with a mid-foot sprain, and forward Dorian Finney-Smith is still in pain from the hairline fracture in two of his fingers. Going against Ellis, who can be physical in the paint, will only aggravate the injury. The Gators are currently difficult to gauge right now because of the injuries and suspensions, and while Hill and Frazier will take advantage of their matchups and have good games, the lack of depth and road environment will be too much for the Gators to overcome.